Dessert Bar Milano: where pastry becomes performance art

In Milan, pastry chef Federico Rottigni has opened Dessert Bar, a venue that fuses haute patisserie with performance art. The experience, titled INSOMNIA – An unexpected tasting journey, consists of five courses plus an overture and grand finale, each conceived as a standalone chapter or theatrical act, paired with a cocktail or non-alcoholic drink. Rottigni, who trained at NABA in art direction and later worked under chefs Knam, Cannavacciuolo, and Cracco in Paris and Oslo, performs the show from behind a counter in sushi-bar style. The interior was designed by architect Giuseppe Bellinelli with lighting by Francesco Guastalla for Reggiani Illuminazione. The space features ottanio-colored curtains and gold-toned seating and cutlery. To prevent distractions, guests' phones are covered with stickers upon entry. The show lasts about 90 minutes and draws on autobiographical memories and influences from arts and sciences. Rottigni aims to "dramatize pastry by making it less serious" and notes that sugar content is moderate, balanced by the accompanying drinks. A trailer for INSOMNIA was co-written by Rottigni, Alessandro My, and Giulia Achenza. The opening represents a full-circle moment for Rottigni, combining his art direction background with pastry.